New York, NY

A collaboration with Atlatl, Inc., a non-profit arts organization
based in Phoenix, Ariz., the exhibition features the works of 35 contemporary
Native artists examining the impact of those changes -- social, political,
cultural, and personal. The artists reflect on history in order to understand
what their ancestors experienced during the period of forced-assimilation,
boarding school education and relocation to distant cities. The artists
reflect on their modem day situations, which are sometimes affected by those
same forces of change, and often influenced by an entirely new set of circumstances.
Historical photographs and earlier works from the museum's collection provide
a context for the roots of artistic changes embedded in reservation life
since 1900.

"It is vitally important to explore the history of
Native cultures in order to understand contemporary Native realities,"
says W. Richard West, director of the National Museum of the American Indian.
"Through this collaboration with Atlatl, 'who
stole the tee pee?' emerges as one of the most insightful and comprehensive
surveys of the changing expressions in 20th century Native art from the
United States. Presently, as Native Peoples strive to maintain their cultural
identities -- and in many cases reclaim or resuscitate their cultural identities
-- the National Museum of the American Indian serves as an important source
of reference and celebration of the past, present and future of American
Indians."